Talk swirls that Manning is ‘cleared’

INDIANAPOLIS — The Indianapolis Colts can’t escape Peyton Manning questions.

Even on a day the team hired four new assistant coaches for Chuck Pagano’s staff, the Manning saga was causing a stir. With a $28 million salary decision looming next month, new general manager Ryan Grigson acknowledged that the Colts couldn’t afford to make a mistake based on sentimental reasons.

“You can’t do things to where you are going to hurt the whole franchise with other decisions that you know might hurt at the moment, but in the end they help the sum of the parts,” Grigson said. “It is a tough deal in this business, and it happens at every position.”

The next twist came hours later when ESPN reported that Manning had been “cleared to play” by the doctor who performed Sept. 8 neck surgery on the quarterback. A team spokesman said the Colts’ doctors had not yet cleared Manning, though ESPN cited an unidentified source in reporting that Dr. Hank Feuer, one of the team’s neurosurgeons, was one of those who checked Manning.

Grigson announced that the Colts had hired Greg Manusky as defensive coordinator, Roy Anderson as the secondary coach in charge of safeties and Marwan Maalouf as special teams coach. Brant Boyer will assist Maalouf with the special teams.

Gronkowski returns to practice

Rob Gronkowski practiced with the New England Patriots for the Super Bowl for the first time. Now coach Bill Belichick is waiting to see how the All-Pro tight end’s injured ankle responds.

Gronkowski, recovering from a high sprain in his left ankle, participated on a limited basis for the first time since being injured Jan. 22 in the third quarter of the 23-20 win over the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC championship game.

“He did some things. He didn’t do everything,” Belichick said.

Gronkowski took part during the second half of the nearly two-hour practice

Union’s Smith says NFL will not bully players on HGH

The head of the NFL Players Association insists the league won’t “bully” its way to a test for human growth hormone. At his annual Super Bowl news conference, NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith said talks continue in a bid to resolve the impasse over adding HGH to the NFL’s testing program.

NFL approves $200 million San Francisco stadium loan

NFL owners approved a $200 million loan to help the 49ers build a stadium. The 68,000-seat stadium will be built adjacent to the 49ers’ facility.

Coaching updates

Green Bay promoted quarterbacks coach Tom Clements to offensive coordinator. … Oakland hired seven assistant coaches, including three who were with the team last year. Frank Pollack was hired from Houston to become offensive line coach and former fullback Justin Griffith will be offensive quality control coach. Al Miller will be strength and conditioning coach, with John Greico his assistant.